Stories

Stepping up

For youth leaving the child welfare system, adulthood isn’t a short hop — it’s a leap into the unknown.

Without steady income, family support or even a safe place to sleep, many struggle to find their footing. In that moment of uncertainty, the Catholic Children’s Aid Society of Hamilton (CCASH)’s Ready, Set, Go program helps them stick the landing.

Research shows that youth who age out of child protection are more likely to struggle with unstable housing, low academic achievement, incarceration, early parenthood, unemployment and mental health challenges. Just 44 percent graduate high school in Ontario, compared to 81 percent of their peers.

Last year, a grant from HCF helped eight young people aged 18 to 23 avoid homelessness by covering first and last month’s rent and offering emergency financial assistance to secure and stabilize housing. The funding is part of SCAFFOLD, HCF’s commitment to affordable housing that helps direct the best use of its philanthropic resources.

It is a grant that is changing lives. As Krystal Buxo of CCASH explains, “Without this funding, kids would be staying in a shelter. It’s the extra support that secures, even guarantees, their success.”

The impact is both measurable and deeply personal. Renee had been in a shelter for six months before being referred to Wesley Youth Services, one of CCASH’s community partners. “At first I was scared,” she says. “But the staff made me feel welcome, helped me find a home and connected me to community. Honestly, I don’t know if I would’ve survived by myself.”

Beyond financial support, the program offers life skills coaching, advocacy with landlords, help pursuing education and employment, and one-on-one guidance to manage living alone for the first time.

“We’re proud of how these young adults use the support to meet their goals,” says Krystal. “When someone isn’t in crisis, they can focus on what’s ahead — finishing high school, going on to post-secondary, work, being a good parent. Everything starts to shift.”

And that’s the power of secure footing: it turns stability into momentum.

Excerpt from 2024-25 annual report